What next for England after their 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia? Could Sir Alastair Cook come in as an assistant coach? Who should England build the team around over the next four years? What next for Zak Crawley and Shoaib Bashir and who else could come into the fold?

LONDON, United Kingdom — England will limp home from Australia after a humbling 4-1 Ashes defeat but appear likely to stick with the regime of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who have vowed to learn lessons from a painful tour.

Jacob Bethell posted his first test century Wednesday and it couldn't have come at a more crucial time for England, ensuring the fifth and last Ashes test will be decided on Day 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has initiated an immediate review into the Ashes defeat, with chief executive Richard Gould promising "necessary changes over the coming months".

"England struggled bowling out there consistently. "Steve Smith showed what he's capable of and we've seen it before. "If the Australians come out tomorrow and keep batting, keep piling on the runs, every run hurts for England."

The Aussies named the Ashes 2025-26 series by 4-1 after winning the concluding Test match in Sydney by 5 wickets in what was Usman Khawaja's final match of his career

England weathered multiple setbacks with skipper Ben Stokes limping from the field and opener Zak Crawley dismissed in the first over of the second innings before rallying to reach 80-1 at lunch Wednesday on Day 4 of the fifth and final Ashes test.

Joe Root and Harry Brook have shared a 154-run partnership to guide England to 211 for three before bad light stopped play on Day 1 of the final Ashes test against Australia.

Rock-solid Jacob Bethell plundered a chanceless maiden Test century Wednesday as England reeled in Australia then built a tenuous 119-run lead to leave the fifth and final Ashes Test on a knife edge.Australia lead 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes.